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Willie Lee Rankin III, 1 Woman Killed in High-Speed Pursuit on State Highway 78 [Garland, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

Stolen Car Crash on State Highway 78 Left Two DeadGARLAND, TX (September 4, 2023) – Thursday midnight, Willie Lee Rankin III and a woman died following a police chase on State Highway 78.The incident started along Interstate 30 leading to State Highway 78 around 12:00 a.m. on August 24th.According to reports, the chase started just after midnight along the T.L. service road of Interstate 30. Townsend Boulevard.Three cars had been stopped with their headlights off when a deputy observed them while responding to another complaint.The office claims that he alerted another officer, who identified the automobiles and observed them commit several traffic infractions while they were driving north on T.L. Townsend.The deputy turned on his lights, but the three vehicles diverged.The driver lost control and fled the road as it attempted to enter the Bush Turnpike in Garland, hitting a concrete barrier in the process.Emergency crews arrived at the site of the collision shortly after and pronou...

California condor shot near Hollister, $5,000 reward offered

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

Federal law enforcement authorities are looking for information related the shooting of an endangered California condor in San Benito County.The bird, part of a flock based at Pinnacles National Park, was found shot multiple times and left for dead on private property off Lone Tree Road, an area east of Hollister.“They are incredible animals,” said Joanna Gilkeson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is leading the investigation. “There are only about 300 individuals in the wild. And they continue to be critically endangered. Losing just one is a big deal. Every single bird counts. We are asking the public to please reach out if they have any information.”The bird was a three-year-old male that researchers had tagged as #972.It was found dead 13 months ago, in July, 2022. Gilkeson said that biologists at Pinnacles National Park, about 30 miles south of Hollister, noticed the animal had stopped moving when they checked its transmitter.S...

SF Giants waive trade deadline acquisition, activate John Brebbia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

The A.J. Pollock era in San Francisco is over after five games.The Giants waived the veteran outfielder Tuesday to clear a 40-man roster spot for reliever John Brebbia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list. Tristan Beck, who seemed to be vying for a rotation spot not long ago, was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.Pollock, 35, was acquired alongside minor-league infielder Mark Mathias for a still-undisclosed player to be named later or cash in the Giants’ only move at the trade deadline. In five games, he came to the plate six times, failed to get a hit and struck out twice. He was on a rehab assignment from a strained oblique when the Giants waived him.With Mitch Haniger back and Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos at Triple-A Sacramento, it was going to be difficult for Pollock to find a spot when he was ready to return from the oblique strain that knocked him out a week into his brief Giants tenure. The writing was on the wall when they passed at the chance to claim Randal ...

Time capsules, social media or parking disputes – what was the motive for Mission Peak pole vandalism?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

For decades, the “Mission Peeker” pole at the summit of Mission Peak, a mountain just east of Fremont, has been a distinctive symbol of the region — a colorful summit marker and photo destination atop one of the most popular hikes in the entire Bay Area.Over the years, the pole has served as the backdrop for thousands of photos, a singular point surrounded by the panoramic backdrop of the San Francisco Bay.But on Saturday morning, it was gone. At some point in the night, it had been unceremoniously sliced in half and tossed two hundred feet down the side of the mountain.As of now, it’s unclear if it will ever be restored. But even if the pole ceases to serve as a symbol of having struggled up a 2,000-foot trail, it may now come to represent a different battle–the right to access Mission Peak.“This is not an engineering problem–the technical aspects of welding a pole back together,” said Kelly Abreu, a Fremont resident and member of the Mission Peak Conservancy. “The real issue...

Special counsel: Trump’s remarks risk tainting jury poll

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

By Eric Tucker | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith warned Tuesday that former President Donald Trump’s “daily” statements risk tainting a jury pool in Washington in the criminal case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.Trump’s provocative comments about both Smith’s team and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan — who is presiding over the case — have been a central issue since the indictment was filed last month. Prosecutors have repeatedly signaled their concerns about the impact of Trump’s social media posts and Chutkan explicitly warned Trump against inflammatory remarks that could intimidate witnesses or contaminate potential jurors.The posts continued Tuesday both before and after the latest concern flared, with Trump earlier in the day circulating a New York Post story about Chutkan on his Truth Social platform and openly mocking the idea that she could be...

Letters: Unfair charges | No negotiations | Trump attorney | Union dollars | Unbelievable scheme | Disregarding MAGA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.PG&E charging forexcess energy unfairYears back I invested in solar panels.  My Net Energy Metering, the annual solar adjustment from PG&E, is negative $1,200 because I produce way more than I use. Without this surplus production, PG&E would bill me. They take the electricity my private resources produce (no consent necessary) and resell it to others.So I have never owed an NEM — until now.  Despite the huge credit balance in my account, I received nothing (they always simply cancel it) and they billed me $100 — essentially making me pay them to take my power and resell it.I am 100% ready to hang the batteries on the house and cut the cord — in which case the excess power helps no one — but I refuse to be charged for freely supporting the community.So someone at PG&E, please respond and give me a reason why I should not do this. Otherwise, goodbye.Stacy SpinkCastro ValleyNegot...

Sale closed in Palo Alto: $5.6 million for a six-bedroom home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

1005 Parkinson Avenue – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 1000 block of Parkinson Avenue in Palo Alto has new owners. The 4,102-square-foot property, built in 2008, was sold on Aug. 14, 2023, for $5,630,000, or $1,373 per square foot. This two-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring six bedrooms and five baths. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. The property is equipped with forced air heating and a cooling system. In addition, the house comes with a one-car garage.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:On Guinda Street, Palo Alto, in May 2023, a 2,901-square-foot home was sold for $3,654,000, a price per square foot of $1,260. The home has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.In March 2023, a 2,561-square-foot home on Melville Avenue in Palo Alto sold for $5,100,000, a price per square foot of $1,991. The home has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 560-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Middlefield Road in Palo Alto sold in March ...

Killing of Oakley girl ended with juvenile court sentence for shooter, court records show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

WALNUT CREEK — A 19-year-old man was sentenced as a juvenile for murdering an Oakley teen when he was 16, maxing out his possible confinement to his 25th birthday, court records recently revealed.Jose Campos pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Aliciabelen “A.B.” Vela, who died after a fatal shooting in Antioch on Nov. 5, 2019. Vela’s boyfriend was also wounded by gunfire but survived the shooting.Campos and his co-defendant were arrested within days of the shooting but both were charged as juveniles, where public access to courts are limited and prosecutors claim they’re barred from revealing details of hearings. But a recently filed appellate court decision has shed light on the outcome of Campos’ case.Police at the time called Vela’s killing the result either a setup or a disagreement during a minor marijuana deal. Vela’s boyfriend allegedly arranged to buy a single joint of marijuana from Campos’ co-defe...

Pennsylvania manhunt for escaped killer in its 6th day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

By Lauren Mascarenhas and Alisha Ebrahimiji | CNNThe manhunt for Danelo Cavalcante that has communities in southeastern Pennsylvania on high alert has shifted after the escaped murderer was spotted just south of the original search area, state police said Tuesday.Cavalcante escaped from Chester County Prison on Thursday morning and authorities began by scouring a heavily wooded area in Pocopson Township and Chester County within 2 miles of the prison – a rural area around 30 miles west of Philadelphia.Law enforcement has now expanded the perimeter of the search after a security camera on Monday evening recorded Cavalcante at a popular botanical gardens that is almost 3 miles away from the correctional facility.“We believe he is just south of that (original search) radius and that’s why, again, we’ve shifted that perimeter now to include that area,” Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during a news conference Tuesday.Cavalcante was spotted by a security camera Monda...

A huge threat to the U.S. budget has receded. And no one is sure why.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:19:22 GMT

By Margot Sanger-Katz and Alicia Parlapiano | New York TimesFor decades, runaway Medicare spending was the story of the federal budget.Now, flat Medicare spending might be a bigger one.Something strange has been happening in this giant federal program. Instead of growing and growing, as it always had before, spending per Medicare beneficiary has nearly leveled off over more than a decade.The trend can be a little hard to see because, as baby boomers have aged, the number of people using Medicare has grown. But it has had enormous consequences for federal spending. Budget news often sounds apocalyptic, but the Medicare trend has been unexpectedly good for federal spending, saving taxpayers a huge amount relative to projections.“Without a doubt, this is the most important thing that has happened to the federal budget in the last 20 years,” said David Cutler, a professor of health policy and medicine at Harvard, who helped the Obama White House develop the Affordable Care A...